Spatial-temporal Variations in Vegetation and their Driving Factors in the Amur River Basin

Abstract

In the past decades, the Amur River Basin has experienced complex regional fluctuations and strong spatial heterogeneity in vegetation. In this study, the spatial-temporal variations in vegetation and their driving factors in the basin were investigated using GIMMS NDVI data over 1982–2013, and MODIS NDVI/EVI and NPP product from 2002 to 2013. A Mann- Kendall trend test were applied to investigate the sustainability and trends of NDVI in this basin. In addition, linear regression trend was applied to analyze spatial distribution of the NDVI, EVI and NPP trends over the period 2002–2013. For further assessment of the driving factors of vegetation, the impacts of individual climatic factors or changes of each land use type on vegetation were analyzed using PLSR and RR based on long-term meteorological data and annual time-series of land use. The relationship between vegetation and hydrological components were also assessed using SWAT hydrological process simulation results.